House Passes Bill to End Medical Marijuana Raids by the DEA

Well it's finally starting to sink in. The war against a freakin plant has gotten out of hand and we no longer have the funds to pay for a losing battle against a plant which we can't eradicate. Thank god these baby steps seem to be speeding up and hopefully soon we can all come to the rational agreement it's none of our business what people do in their own privacy…as long as they don't let that effect those around them. Crimes against people are still crimes…I just don't see crimes against self that way.

www.thedailybeast.com...

In a historic move Thursday night, Congress voted to pass a bill that will end federal raids on medical marijuana. The first major marijuana reform to pass, it’s a sign of a new day rising in the war on drugs.
In an unprecedented move Thursday night, the House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that prevents the Drug Enforcement Administration from raiding state-legal medical marijuana dispensaries.

Just after midnight, the vote won with 219 ayes, including an unexpected 49 Republicans and 170 Democrats. It’s the first time Congress has approved a major marijuana law reform, which shows the changing tide of marijuana policy in the United States—and suggests a new day is rising in the war on drugs. A similar measure failed in Congress six previous times, receiving the most votes (165) in 2007. But with data showing three out of four Americans now approve of medical marijuana, the issue gained momentum in the months leading up to the vote.

Medical marijuana advocates across the nation celebrated the landmark decision. “This is a huge development,” Mason Tvert Director of Communications Marijuana Policy Project, told The Daily Beast hours later. “This is a major sign that things are moving full-speed in the right direction at the federal level, as well as the state level.”

The vote followed emotional testimony in support of the bill from representatives. "Some people are suffering, if a doctor feels he needs to prescribe, it is immoral for this govt to get in the way!" said Republican Dana Rohrabacher. “ Barbara Lee, a Democrat, joined the chorus: "This is the right thing to do, the democratic thing to do. Enough is enough.”

Others such as Representative John Fleming, fought to keep the bill from passing. "This is an extremely dangerous drug for our children and for future generations,” he said. "Marijuana is not safe or legal. There is more evidence every day that it is not safe,” Representative Andy Harris added.

But if anyone is most excited about the bill, it’s the families of those sick and dying who rely on medical marijuana as a treatment method.



Tom Angell, Chariman of the Marijuana Majority, says it was their stories that propelled the bill forward. "Lawmakers only recently began hearing the moving stories of the many children whose severe seizures are only relieved by marijuana," Angell told The Daily Beast. "Being able to list these CBD states in the amendment text meant that more members of Congress that represent these states voted yes than otherwise would have. Counting these states, 60 percent of the U.S. population lives in a place where state law disagrees with federal law."

Families of those using medical marijuana as treatment for things randing from cancer to AIDS came out on Twitter to express their utter relief at the news, their Tweets all echoing the same sentiment: Finally.

I normally don't post but with the recent threads on the subject I figured when the Fed starts relaxing the constrictor lock they have held on their position they're finally cracking. It's evidenced here as well as in the recent statements by the FBI director.

Here we go…a little bit better reporting. It seems like once again this is a small step and many are wondering how much it will help them. The case covered here is still in the air and I have a feeling those already charged may still get wrung out for all they can get. You tell me…What say you ATS?

Pfffttt... why the hell would they do raids for MEDICAL marijuana in the first place? This is not something to be impressed by, it's something that should have been done from the very start. I'll be impressed when they stop doing raids for any type of marijuana.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

I absolutely agree. To me it shows how states are trying to gain back their rightful power after a federal overrun. This is inferred however but these days it seems all too clear who has run away with the ship and at what cost that has taken. States are starting to be overcome by their population for reform, and the only way that will take shape is if a large majority push for it locally. Nationally they could give a rats a$*

ETA: also they raid for the money. Not only do they levy harsh fines as well as jail but they then take the pot and resell it in sting buys to make more money and keep the product. The way the fed looks at it is it's a win win. Just like those who make lots off it being against the law they don't want it legal for reasons of profit. It's been that same game for decades after it was widely realized the refer madness was bunk.

already posted here

originally posted by: pez1975
already posted here

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